“I’d like to learn more about professions before I fully commit to a choice, if that’s alright?” I said, trying to sound thoughtful rather than hesitant.
The blacksmith, a stout figure with soot-streaked skin and an impressive beard, straightened with a grunt. “One moment, me boy. Let me grab ye somethin’ to help ye out.” He shuffled toward his house, his movements slow but purposeful. The sound of clattering metal and what I could only assume were Dwarven curses soon spilled out, making me smile despite myself. A moment later, he returned, holding a well-worn book with a thick leather cover.
“Here,” he said, handing it to me. The title, embossed in gold lettering, read, [Basic Guide to Professions].
“Thanks,” I said, nodding as I accepted the book. Its weight felt reassuring, like holding a key to new possibilities.
Before I could leave, curiosity got the better of me. “Are you… not a depth dweller? I mean no offense, but I just assumed that because you’re a dwarf.”
He chuckled, his voice rough and metallic, like a hammer striking stone. “No offense taken, lad. Aye, I’m a dwarf, but I’m what ye’d call a surface dwarf. Me kind prefers livin’ atop volcanoes, where the heat’s just right for smithin’. Depth dwellers, now…” He shook his head with a grin. “They’re a whole other breed. Great smiths, but with personalities as sour as unripe ale. Couldn’t pay me enough gold to live underground with ‘em.”
He let out a deep, rumbling laugh, his amusement so genuine that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Interesting,” I said, tucking the book under my arm. The idea of surface and depth dwarves was fascinating, but I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. “Thank you for this. I’ll return it once I’ve had a chance to read.”
He waved a soot-stained hand, already turning back to his forge. “Take yer time, lad. And if blacksmithin’ be yer path, come back. I’ll make sure ye don’t hammer yer own fingers off.”
[BASIC GUIDE TO PROFESSIONS]
Index
Benefits of professions…
Main professions
Blacksmithing…
Enchanting…
Jewel crafting…
Tailoring…
Gem cutting…
Tinkering…
Leatherworking…
Alchemist…
Cooking…
Glossary...
The list of professions was brimming with possibilities. Each one seemed incredible in its own way, and I couldn’t help but imagine how our group could benefit if we chose complementary roles. The thought of discussing strategies and combinations with the others filled me with a renewed sense of purpose. For now, though, finding them was my top priority.
I arrived at the inn, its weathered sign creaking softly in the breeze. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and was immediately greeted by an unexpectedly deep voice. “Hello, weary traveler. Welcome to my humble inn. How may I help you?”
The voice, rich and resonant, was almost comedic coming from the figure before me. The innkeeper was barely two feet tall, with snow-white hair that framed an oversized, bulbous nose. Tiny glasses perched on top of it, threatening to slide off with every shift of his head. His eyes, black and sclera-less, glinted with an odd intensity that sent my brain scrambling to process him. There was so much going on with this man that I found myself frozen, staring in stunned silence.
“Didn’t your parents teach you staring is rude?” he snapped, irritation evident in his voice.
Snapped out of my daze, I stammered, rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment. “Uh, my apologies, sir. I… uh… don’t really have a good excuse for that. Sorry.”
He grunted, unimpressed but seemingly willing to let it slide. “If you need a room or some food, just say so. Otherwise, don’t just stand there gawking like a fool.”
I cleared my throat, regaining some composure. “Actually, I was wondering if you’ve seen any other travelers come through here recently. I’m looking for some friends who came with me.”
His expression softened slightly, though his tone remained blunt. “No. You’re the first traveler I’ve seen in years.”
That wasn’t exactly the answer I’d been hoping for, but I nodded in acknowledgment. I scanned the room briefly, empty, save for a couple of battered tables and chairs. Figuring I might as well make the most of the downtime, I found a seat in the corner, pulled out the book, and prepared to dive in.
First, though, I decided to inspect my menus. With a small mental command, the familiar interface appeared before me, semi-transparent and pulsing faintly in the air.
OPTIONS
CLASS – STARS ASCENT
STATS
INVENTORY(must have bag equipped)
PROFESSION(must speak to a tradesman first)
I opened my class tab first so I could further inspect the class that I had picked.
CLASS – STARS ASCENT
You are but a sparkle in the sky, not yet powerful, yet not unnoticed. Burn with fury, be the light that guides, and burns with the wrath of the heavens.
Celestial Sanctum- You cast a dome of protection that reduces damage taken for you and any allies inside by 20% and heals you and allies for 2% of total base HP over 10 sec every 1 sec. Dome Lasts 10 sec, 5-minute cooldown.
Abyssal Retribution- Can only be cast after being a target of an attack, hits enemy for 100% of the damage that would have hit you. 8-minute cooldown.
Those were some impressive starting abilities. The cooldown on the attack was a bit harsh, but it had the potential to be incredibly powerful if used strategically. I didn’t see any reason to complain. Curious to see if there were any updates, I opened the skills tab next, since I hadn’t really checked the numbers before.
STATS
LEVEL – 1, TRAVELER
STRENGTH - 7
DEXTERITY - 9
INTELLECT - 17
WISDOM - 14
LUCK - 9
Level, Traveler. Now, that was interesting. The title felt loaded with potential meaning, but focusing on the [TRAVELER] text didn’t reveal anything further. No additional information, no helpful tooltips. Frustrated but curious, I decided to consult the next best source.
“Excuse me, Jero,” I called as I approached the bar, sliding onto one of the sturdy stools. “I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about how the leveling system works?”
Jero, who had been wiping down the far end of the counter, looked up at me, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he began rummaging around behind the bar. Various clinks and thuds accompanied his search until he produced a small, leather-bound book. Its cover was cracked and worn, the title stamped in faded gold lettering, [Basics to Leveling… and Stuff].
“What an odd title,” I muttered, raising an eyebrow as Jero slid the book toward me.
“This’ll give you a basic rundown on the leveling system,” he explained, leaning one elbow on the counter. “It also has some good information about spells and abilities. Should answer most of your questions.”
I nodded, smiling in appreciation. “Thanks, Jero. Mind if I get a drink while I read?”
His expression shifted into something resembling pride as he straightened. “Aye, you’re in luck. Brewed this ale myself.” He grabbed a mug, filled it with a greenish-blue liquid, and slid it across to me.
The aroma hit me first, a delightful mix of berries and honey with a faint, earthy undertone. Curious, I took a cautious sip. The flavor was as smooth as silk, perfectly balanced between sweet and earthy. “This is incredible,” I said, glancing up at Jero, who beamed with satisfaction.
A small notification appeared in my peripheral vision, its soft glow catching my attention. Focusing on it, I inspected the buff:
[Jero’s Ale] – Lasts 1hour.
All stats +1
You feel lighter, and much more relaxed. Don’t drink too much though, you may lose sight of yourself.
The warning at the bottom gave me pause. “What happens if I drink too much of this?” I asked, looking at Jero with a raised eyebrow.
He chuckled knowingly. “Ah, I see ye noticed the buff. Well, like any good ale, too much’ll make ye a bit of an idiot. You’ll be stronger and tougher for a bit, but past that point, it becomes more of a poison than a benefit. So, drink responsibly.”
“Noted,” I said, shaking my head with a wry smile. I turned my attention back to the book, flipping it open to see what secrets it held.
[Basics to Leveling… and Stuff]
Welcome to this introduction into leveling!
Within this shoddy little book, you may learn something, or not. Honestly, that’s not my problem. Anyway, let’s dive into how leveling works.
Levels 1–100: These are the Traveler levels. After that, you’ll rank up to Adventurer. Not much I can tell you about what happens after that, seeing as I’m only a level 53 Traveler as I write this.
Stat Points: You’ll get three free stat points every time you level up. Simple enough, right?
Ability Choices:
- Level 10: Unlock your first ability choice from a list tailored to your class.
- Level 50: Unlock your second ability choice.
The choices seem class-dependent, so don’t expect a cookie-cutter list. Choose wisely, abilities are your bread and butter.
Ranks:
- Traveler (Where you likely are, since you’re reading this)
- Adventurer
- Veteran
- Champion
- Legend
There’s a rumored sixth rank, but I’m not listing it here because, let’s face it, it might be nonsense.
Rank Perks: Each rank comes with stat multipliers and possibly an extra ability slot. That said, I have no concrete info on the exact numbers or how many levels it takes to progress through the higher ranks. So, take that with a grain of salt.
Keep in mind, most of this comes from personal experience or chatter I’ve picked up, so don’t come crying to me if something’s wrong.
The rest of the book devolved into a series of ramblings about the author’s travels. While scattered, it wasn’t entirely useless, there were details about various monsters they’d encountered, ranging from the mildly annoying to the “avoid-at-all-costs” kind. There were even illustrations of wild plants, some labeled as edible and others marked with ominous skulls. The information would be invaluable, though the author had added a less-than-encouraging note: “This only applies to the local forests of this planet. Don’t blame me if you eat something toxic elsewhere.”
Still, I could appreciate the thought that went into leaving this behind for any new Travelers. Maybe the author wasn’t as grumpy as they seemed, or maybe they’d just grown tired of answering the same questions from clueless newcomers. Either way, I made a mental note to jot down anything useful later.
I closed the book and looked over to Jero, who was wiping down the counter with surprising enthusiasm for someone who claimed to see so few travelers. “Would it be alright if I held onto this for a little while?” I asked. “I’d like to take some notes before I leave town, and I’ll make sure to return it.”
Jero glanced up, squinting at me through his tiny glasses. “Aye, that’s fine,” he said after a moment. “Just make sure it finds its way back. Rumor has it there’ll be more Travelers comin’ through soon, and they might need it as much as you do.”
“Got it,” I said with a nod of thanks, tucking the book away carefully. It wasn’t much, but even small insights could make a difference out there.
While waiting for the others, I opened the [Basic Guide to Professions] again, diving into the details about the benefits and descriptions.
Benefits of Professions
Depending on your path, Grand Master, Master, or Artisan, your journey within a profession can lead to unique strengths and drawbacks:
Grand Master
Specialize in one profession.
Craft speed: x2 faster than Master.
Material requirements: 50% less than Master.
Unlocks exclusive recipes, but some require centuries to gather materials for.
Certain items crafted as a Grand Master can’t be sold.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Master
Master two professions.
Craft speed: x2 faster than Artisan (except for master-path recipes).
Material requirements: 50% less than Artisan for standard recipes.
Master-path recipes require max materials and are slower to craft compared to a Grand Master.
Artisan
No specialization or master paths.
Craft speed: normal.
Materials required: maximum amount.
Benefit: Items sell for 50% more, making Artisans highly profitable traders.
Main Professions
Note: Descriptions are brief until you select a profession, at which point additional information becomes available.
Blacksmithing
Forge armor, weapons, and tools using ores you mine and smelt.
Note: Be careful with gems found in ore veins, they’ll shatter unless a Gem Cutter handles them.
Enchanting
Enhance weapons and armor with materials gathered throughout the realms.
Note: Do NOT attempt to enchant elemental items unless you enjoy catastrophic results.
Jewel Crafting
Create jewelry from beads, metals, gems, and other materials.
Note: Gems and ores must be obtained through trade, purchase, or a generous friend.
Tailoring
Turn scraps of cloth into extraordinary garments, from royal attire to sturdy adventurer gear.
Note: Consult a blacksmith for proper needles or risk frustration with dull tools.
Gem Cutting
Cut and refine gems to create powerful stat boosts and elemental enhancements.
Note: Gems are always in demand and can be very profitable, though they must be installed by other professions.
Tinkering
Create explosive devices, crossbows, and specialized ammunition.
Note: You are NOT immune to your own explosives and crafting them can be hazardous to your health.
Alchemy
Brew potions and elixirs to heal, boost stats, or enhance damage and resistances.
Note: Avoid supplying Tinkerers with dangerous chemicals unless you enjoy incessant pestering.
Leatherworking
Craft stylish and functional armor from the hides and scales of beasts.
Note: Collaboration with a Tailor and Blacksmith is essential for needles, thread, and advanced crafting.
Cooking
Prepare meals that provide stat boosts and resistances for up to 24 hours.
Note: Everyone can learn cooking, it doesn’t take a profession slot. Seriously, take care of yourself.
The humorous notes scattered throughout the descriptions made the reading entertaining, though the warnings about certain professions, especially Tinkering, were a bit concerning.
I couldn’t help but start thinking of potential combinations. Blacksmithing and Gem Cutting caught my eye first; the idea of mining materials and getting the most out of them seemed practical. Still, the thought of working together with the group to balance our professions felt even more promising.
Just as I was mulling over the possibilities, the inn’s door creaked open. My attention snapped up, and I spotted a familiar figure stepping inside. It took me a moment to process the changes, Max’s ears were longer and more pointed, his skin a deep, rich purple, and his eyes… they were like endless black voids, giving him an unsettlingly alien appearance. Despite the transformation, his grin was unmistakable. It was still Max.
“Max! Hey, buddy, over here!” I called, standing and raising a hand to wave him over.
His grin revealed a set of sharp fangs as he approached. “James! Man, I wasn’t sure if I was the first one out or not,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me.
“To be honest, I’m not even sure I was the first out,” I admitted with a laugh. “Knowing Leo, he’s probably wandering the town right now, checking every little corner.”
Max chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
I reached for the [Basic Guide to Professions] and slid it across the table to him. “Take a look at this. I was ready to jump into Blacksmithing, but I figured it’d be better to wait and see what everyone else wanted to do first. That way, we can coordinate a bit better.”
Max picked up the book, flipping through the pages with interest. “Smart. I was thinking about Leatherworking for my profession, but yeah, makes sense to wait. We could complement each other’s choices and cover more ground that way.”
He kept reading, his sharp fangs poking out slightly as he concentrated. Seeing him like this, transformed yet still undeniably Max, made me feel both comforted and a little uneasy. Whatever this world had done to us, it was changing more than just our surroundings.
Shortly after, the door creaked open again, and I turned just in time to see Mel step into the inn. Well… it was her, kind of.
“Holy shit!” I exclaimed, startled. “Mel, uh… is that you?”
She grinned widely, and her tusks, massive, prominent, and impossible to ignore, made the smile almost menacing. Her mocha skin now had a faint sheen, her frame had grown to an imposing eight feet tall, and her shoulders looked powerful enough to break walls. Imagine those muscle competition guys, but they’d look like scrawny kids next to her. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, longer than I remembered, and her eyes were a shocking, electric blue that almost glowed in the dim light.
Mel sat down at the table, somehow not crushing the chair beneath her weight. Her voice was deeper, with a rumbling quality that matched her intimidating presence. “Did you blokes see the other two yet?”
I shook my head, still staring at her transformation. “No, not yet. Let me guess, you picked the orc race?”
She nodded with a toothy grin, leaning back in her chair like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Turning to Max, I asked, “And what race are you?”
Max, who had been engrossed in the professions book, finally looked up, and promptly jumped, his eyes wide. “Good God, Mel! You scared the shit out of me!”
Mel and I burst out laughing at his reaction. Max, still looking a bit rattled, took a second to compose himself. Sliding the book across the table to Mel, he answered my question. “I’m a Drow Elf. I thought it looked super cool.”
He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not everyone in town feels the same way about it, though. Some of the locals aren’t fans of me. I was worried I wouldn’t even be able to talk to anyone here because of my class, but Jaq’Kuah told me this first town is a neutral starting zone. Once we leave, though…” He trailed off, glancing between us. “Any town that isn’t abyssal or demonic territory probably won’t even speak to me. In fact, some places might attack me outright.”
That was… sobering. I hadn’t thought about how class and race alignments might affect interactions in this world. Max’s choice of an abyssal-aligned race suddenly made a lot of sense; it could give us access to areas I’d otherwise be shut out of as a celestial caster.
I wanted to ask about their classes, but it felt better to wait until everyone was together so we could discuss our abilities and strategies as a group. Instead, I leaned back in my chair, watching Mel flip through the book with surprising gentleness for someone so massive, while Max tapped his fingers nervously on the table.
I decided to pivot the conversation, asking a more pressing question. “So, Max, if I heal you with an ability, would it hurt you since I’m using celestial-based powers? Should we test that before we end up in a situation where it could go horribly wrong?”
Max’s brows furrowed as he considered it. “Good point,” he said thoughtfully, swiping through his menus. After a moment, he shrugged. “Nothing in my menus warns against it, so I guess we’ll need to test it out.”
“Let’s do it outside,” I suggested, standing up. Mel followed us, her curiosity evident as we stepped into the open air just outside the inn.
I focused, casting [Celestial Sanctum]. A shimmering dome of blue and gold light surrounded us, spreading ten feet in every direction. The air within the dome felt lighter, almost calming. Max looked down at his hand, then made a small cut on his palm with one of his sharp nails. We all watched as the wound sealed itself almost instantly, leaving no trace.
“Seems fine to me,” Max said, flexing his fingers. “That’s good to know, but… I wonder if it’s because we’re partied?” His tone was questioning, but there was a faint undercurrent of concern.
I shrugged. “We could always ask someone about it. I’d rather not risk leaving or removing anyone from the party right now. If something goes wrong, it could be bad.”
We headed back into the inn, and I approached the bar where Jero was cleaning a mug. “Hey, quick question,” I began. “If Max wasn’t in my party and I used a celestial heal, would it hurt him?”
Jero stopped his cleaning, giving me a measured look. “Aye,” he said. “If he weren’t in your party, your celestial abilities would hurt him. Just like any abyssal healing ability would harm you. Keep that in mind.”
I nodded, but then his expression turned serious. “And another thing, you all do know this isn’t just a game, right? If you die here, that’s it. There’s no waking up back in your realm. No second chances.”
The weight of his words settled over us like a heavy fog. I glanced at Max and Mel. They looked back at me, their expressions grim. For a moment, none of us spoke.
Max broke the silence first. “I think we all knew that on some level,” he said quietly. His voice, usually so casual, was heavy with resolve. “But I’ve got family back home. My little girl. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe from the kind of darkness that could follow us.”
Mel nodded solemnly, her massive frame seeming even more imposing in the dim light. The gravity of our situation wasn’t lost on her, or any of us.
I glanced back at Mel, then to Max, and caught sight of two figures entering the inn. My face broke into a grin. “Trish, Leo! Glad you could make it!” I called, waving them over. “We were just talking about our, uh… fates, if we happen to fall into that deep sleep.”
Leo’s expression was blank, his voice as dry as the desert. “Jaq’Kuah didn’t already tell you that?”
Trish giggled, brushing a strand of chestnut hair from her face as she shook her head. “You three never ask questions, you just run headfirst into everything. Good thing Leo and I handle all the thinking for us.”
I groaned inwardly. Of course, it should have been the first question I asked, but what had I done instead? Chase after shiny things like a raccoon. Typical.
As Trish reached me, she leaned in and kissed my cheek, her golden-brown eyes twinkling with amusement. “That’s why I married you,” she said with a playful smile. “Someone has to make sure you don’t do anything too crazy on your own.”
I laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. “Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, gesturing toward the corner table. “Let’s have a seat.”
We all settled in the group finally whole again. I pushed the [Basic Guide to Professions] across the table to Leo. “Here, take a look at this while we figure out everyone’s classes and races.”
I decided to start us off, clearing my throat as I leaned forward. “Alright, so my class is [Stars Ascent]. It’s a celestial-based tanking class, but it also has some solid healing abilities. My plan is to lean into the tank role, with some off-healing when it’s needed. But if no one picked a healing class, I could adjust and go more heavily into that direction.”
I paused, glancing around to gauge their reactions. Trish nodded thoughtfully, while Max was already flipping through his menus again. Leo, meanwhile, closed the profession book and set it aside, finally ready to share.
Unlike the rest of us, Leo’s appearance hadn’t changed drastically, at least at first glance. But as he leaned forward, the light revealed an arcane shimmer to his skin, purples and blues rippling across him like a living version of the northern lights. It was subtle, but mesmerizing.
“My race is [Auroralis],” he began, his voice calm and precise. “It’s entirely magic-focused. The race increases all spell damage, and physical attacks are converted into spell damage automatically.” He glanced down at his hands, flexing them slightly. “My class is [Chaos Mage], which taps into every element. The catch is, I can’t control which element is used, it’s random. But I can channel a specific element for short periods with certain abilities.”
I leaned back, raising an eyebrow. “Random elements, huh? That sounds chaotic… fitting name.” I smirked at my own pun, but the idea was fascinating. “So, do you have any restrictions on who you can talk to or where you can go?”
Leo shook his head. “No restrictions. Both the class and the race are neutral to all factions. It doesn’t give me any extra benefits in certain areas, but at least I won’t be locked out or attacked just for existing.”
That was good to know. I nodded, filing the information away for later. “Alright, who’s next?”
Max spoke up next, glancing at Trish, who was still absorbed in the professions book with an almost suspicious level of excitement. “Alright, I’ll go,” he said, leaning back slightly. “I picked the [Drow Elf] race. It boosts my damage with abyssal abilities and also keeps me from going mad from abyssal poisoning. Handy, right?” He smirked, then continued. “My class is [Shadow Archer]. It’s all about mobility and high damage. I can teleport around the battlefield using shadows, deal massive damage, and inflict poison effects. It has a few abyssal abilities, but it’s mostly about staying mobile since my survivability isn’t great.”
He paused, his tone shifting to something more serious. “There’s a catch, though. Outside this town, I can’t interact with any races that aren’t depth dwellers or demons. Demons I can speak to, but honestly, I wouldn’t trust a demon as far as I could throw one.”
Leo glanced between Max and me, concern flickering in his eyes. “That’s… a pretty big restriction,” he said, his voice cautious.
I nodded, raising a hand to reassure him. “We already tested it. As long as Max is in the party, my celestial-based heals won’t hurt him.”
Leo’s shoulders relaxed visibly, his expression softening with relief. “Good. That’s one less thing to worry about.”
Meanwhile, Mel glanced over at Trish, who was still nose-deep in the professions book. Her expression was hard to read, but the excitement practically radiating off her was unmistakable.
“What’s got her so worked up?” Mel rumbled, raising an eyebrow.
Max chuckled. “I don’t know, but judging by that look, we’re about to hear something… interesting.”
Mel leaned back in her chair, cracking her knuckles. “Reckon it’s my turn to go now,” she said, her deeper voice commanding attention. “I picked the [Gorath Orc] race, and my class is [Ethereal Revenant]. It lets me make my body ethereal, so I can completely avoid physical attacks and cut magic damage in half when it hits.” She paused, a proud glint in her shocking blue eyes. “I can’t stay ethereal forever, though. Timing is everything. I can also make my armor and weapons ethereal, but it’s a huge energy drain. Right now, I’d only be able to use that ability once every couple of hours.”
She shrugged as if this incredible list of abilities was no big deal. “Also, no alignments. I’m not locked into celestial, abyssal, or anything else.”
I stared at her, struggling to find words. Max’s jaw hung open, and Leo looked like he’d just seen a god descend from the heavens.
Finally, I managed to respond. “Mel… that’s insane! Your class is going to be incredible in a fight. I can’t wait to see it in action!” My excitement was genuine, and Max and Leo nodded eagerly, sharing my enthusiasm.
Leo’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, his analytical nature kicking in. “It’s not just the ethereal abilities. The versatility you have with no alignments gives you a lot of flexibility when we start interacting with factions.” He paused, then added with a hint of awe, “This party just keeps getting more interesting.”
Mel smirked, clearly enjoying the reactions. “Glad to know I’ve impressed you lot. Let’s just hope I don’t have to carry all of you through every fight.”
Her teasing tone broke the tension, and we all chuckled… well, all of us except Trish.
I glanced over at her and couldn’t help but smile. She was still completely absorbed in the [Basic Guide to Professions], flipping through its pages with an almost childlike enthusiasm. She hadn’t even noticed that the rest of us were waiting for her. When she finally did catch us staring, her expression shifted to one of wide-eyed excitement.
“Oh my God!” she blurted, holding up the book as though it were a sacred text. “I can make pretty dresses! When do we get to pick our professions?”
We all burst out laughing, the energy in the room lifting instantly. She blinked, realization dawning. “Oh, is it my turn?” she asked, sheepish now.
Clearing her throat, she set the book down and smoothed her hair, as though preparing for a formal presentation. “Alright, so I stayed human,” she began, “and I picked the [Astral Aegis] class. It’s focused on healing and support. It says I can use celestial powers to heal and ethereal powers to boost allies’ damage and resistances. Oh, and I can turn ethereal to avoid both physical and magical damage, but there’s a catch.”
She leaned forward conspiratorially. “If I use that ability, I can’t cast anything for a few hours. Total energy drain.”
We nodded in understanding as she continued, her excitement bubbling up again. “Oh, and I can use the spirit realm to teleport around the battlefield! But it warns not to overdo it, so I’ll have to use it sparingly.”
Her expression turned a bit more serious as she added, “The only downside is that I can only communicate with celestials and earthly dwellers. Everyone else is basically off-limits.”
I leaned back in my chair, impressed. “That’s a solid class, Trish. Sounds like you’ll be the backbone of the team when it comes to healing and buffs.”
Trish gave a modest shrug, though the gleam in her eye betrayed her pride. “I mean, someone’s got to keep you all alive. You’re going to need it.”
Max chuckled. “Not wrong there. I’m already imagining the chaos if we didn’t have you to keep James upright.”
“Hey!” I protested, but I couldn’t help but grin.
Trish just smirked and leaned back in her chair. “That’s why I play the support role. Someone’s got to make sure the party doesn’t wipe.”
It was true. Trish was the only one of us who wasn’t a hardcore gamer, but her knack for strategy and her tendency to pick healing classes in tabletop games had always been a saving grace. She might not have the hours logged that we did, but when it came to keeping a team alive, there was no one better.
We spent a while chatting about strategies for the road ahead, bouncing ideas off one another as we pieced together how our roles would mesh. Eventually, the conversation turned to professions. We wanted to make choices that would benefit the party as a whole, ensuring we could cover as many bases as possible.
One thing was certain, we all picked up [Cooking]. Thankfully, we were already decent cooks back home, but the ingredients in this world would add a whole new layer of complexity. That was fine, though; as we increased our cooking skill, we’d gain knowledge of local ingredients and how to turn them into powerful food buffs.
For my professions, I went with [Blacksmithing] and [Gem Cutting]. If I was going to be mining, it made sense to maximize what I could get out of the nodes I found. No wasted resources.
Max decided on [Tinkering], though he’d briefly considered pairing it with Leatherworking. In the end, he didn’t want to risk splitting his focus and not being able to craft both explosives and bows at their most powerful levels. “Explosions come first,” he’d said with a grin.
Leo chose [Alchemy], opting to focus entirely on potion-making. His reasoning was solid. He wanted to ensure he could create the best potions possible, both for the party and to supply Max with the chemicals he’d need for his more… chaotic experiments. “Someone’s got to keep the local psychopath happy,” he joked, earning a snort from Mel.
Speaking of Mel, she chose [Enchanting], her logic straightforward, keeping our weapons and armor in top condition would be invaluable, and the power-ups she could provide would make a huge difference in combat.
Finally, Trish picked [Tailoring], which surprised no one. Her love of fashion made the choice obvious, but it wasn’t just about aesthetics. Tailoring would let her craft powerful clothing and accessories for the party, giving us practical benefits as well as a bit of flair.
We decided to skip [Jewel Crafting] altogether. According to Jero, jewel crafters were everywhere, so trading for jewelry would be easy enough when the time came.
When we officially picked our professions, we each received a starting backpack filled with the basic tools for our respective trades. The packs also included some starter items, a couple of health potions, some bread and water, and 100 gold each. As a dual-profession holder, I didn’t get an extra bag, just the tools for Gem Cutting tucked into my Blacksmithing kit.
With our supplies in hand and Jero’s book returned, we stepped out of the inn and into the open world. The town gates loomed ahead, and beyond them lay the unknown.
As we walked, a thrill of excitement coursed through me. Whatever this world had in store, we were finally ready to face it.